Golf training aid

Abstract

A golf driving and putting training aid comprises a driving module, a short-putt module, a long-putt module, and a third putting module. The driving module includes a shaft of telescoping cylinders pivotally secured at one end to a supporting surface and provided with a driving handle at the other end. The rate of retraction and extension of all cylinders is controlled by felt strips restricting the flow of air between the cylinders. The direction of the swing is controlled by pivoting joints by which the cylinders are connected to the supporting surface and to the handle. In one embodiment, the cylinders are pivotally attached to a slidable sleeve that glides along a horizontal bar. The movement of the sleeve can be restricted along the horizontal bar. The short-putt module includes a telescoping cylindrical shaft that is attached to the user's putter. When used, the short-putt module forces the user to keep the short-putt stroke straight. The long-putt module includes an arcuate guide to which a putter may be attached, thereby requiring the user to use the proper arcuate stroke for a long putt. Another putting module includes use of a mounting assembly that connects a putter to a horizontal bar. This embodiment allows movement of the putter along a generally defined arc that allows a slight transverse or perpendicular movement of the putter during the stroke.

1. A golf swing training apparatus having a driving module and a putting module, the driving module comprising:
 a cylindrical handle configured to assist a user in properly gripping a golf club, the cylindrical handle having a first end connected by a mounting pin to at least one removable weight and a second end having a pivotal joint; 
 a longitudinal shaft attached at an upper end to the pivotal joint and pivotally and removably attachable at a lower end of the shaft to a U-shaped bracket, the shaft having multiple hollow cylindrical sections longitudinally and telescopically mounted therein for extensible and retractable sliding motion with respect to each other, each cylindrical section having upper and lower ends and a hollow interior, the lower end of each cylindrical section being configured to fit closely into the upper end of the adjacent section, the lower end of each of the sections having a cylindrical plug inserted into the hollow interior of that section, the lowest section forming the lower end of the shaft, and each section other than the lowest section having a felt strip about an exterior lower circumference of the respective section and each section other than an uppermost section having a felt strip about an interior upper circumference of the respective section, the felt strips designed to limit air flow into and out of the cylindrical sections when the shaft is telescopically extended or retracted; 
 a nylon cord affixed to the plug of the lowest section and passing through each of the plugs in the cylindrical sections to connect to the plug of the uppermost section; and 
 the U-shaped bracket having first and second pivot points, the first pivot point being removably mounted to the longitudinal shaft with a quick release pin, the U-shaped bracket being slidably coupled to a horizontal bar along a central axis of the horizontal bar, the second pivot point extending about the central axis; and 
 
     the putting module comprising:
 a column pivotally and removably attachable to the U-shaped bracket; and 
 at least one connector affixed to the column and having a means for detachably connecting a golf putting club to the column. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pivotal joint permits pivoting between the cylindrical handle and the longitudinal shaft in only a single plane. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a base connected to first and second ends of the horizontal bar and on which a user may stand when using the apparatus. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a removable pin inserted into the horizontal bar to restrict movement of the longitudinal shaft. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a clip removably mountable on the horizontal bar to restrict movement of the longitudinal shaft. 
   
   
     6. A golf driving training apparatus comprising:
 a cylindrical handle having a first end and a second end including a pivotal joint; 
 a shaft attached at an upper end of the shaft to the pivotal joint and pivotally attached at a lower end of the shaft to a bracket, the shaft comprising multiple hollow longitudinally and telescopically mounted nested tubes for extensible and retractable sliding motion with respect to each other, each tube having an upper end and a lower end and a hollow interior, the lower end of each tube being configured to fit snugly into the upper end of the adjacent tube, the lowest tube forming the lower end of the shaft; and 
 the bracket having first and second pivot points, the first pivot point being removably mounted to the shaft with a quick release pin, the bracket being slidably coupled to a horizontal bar along a central axis of the horizontal bar, and the second pivot point extending about the central axis. 
 
   
   
     7. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a mounting pin on the first end of the handle to permit mounting of at least one removable weight to the handle. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a nylon cord affixed to the plug of the lowest tube and passing through each of the plugs in the cylindrical tubes to connect to the plug of the uppermost tube. 
   
   
     9. The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the pivotal joint permits pivoting between the cylindrical handle and the shaft in only a single plane. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a plug inserted into the lower end of the lowest of the tubes. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a plug inserted into the lower end of the uppermost tube; and 
 a nylon cord affixed to the plug of the lowest tube and passing through each of the tubes to connect to plug in the uppermost tube. 
 
   
   
     12. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising at least one felt strip about an exterior lower circumference of one of the tubes other than the lowest tube. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising at least one felt strip about an interior upper circumference of one of the tubes other than uppermost tube. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising
 felt strips about an exterior lower circumference of each tube other than the lowest tube; and 
 felt strips about an interior upper circumference of each tube other than uppermost tube. 
 
   
   
     15. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a removable pin inserted into the horizontal bar to restrict movement of the longitudinal shaft. 
   
   
     16. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a clip removably mountable on the horizontal bar to restrict movement of the longitudinal shaft. 
   
   
     17. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a mounting pin on the first end of the handle to permit mounting of at least one removable weight to the handle. 
   
   
     18. The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a base connected to first and second ends of the horizontal bar and on which a user may stand when using the apparatus.